Surgical planning for restoring velopharyngeal function in velocardiofacial syndrome

Surgical outcomes and revision rates for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in syndromic and non-syndromic children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate pre- and post-operative resonance, surgical technique, revision rate, and revision indication among syndromic and non-syndromic children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was conducted through July 2022. Children surgically treated for VPI were included. A meta-analysis of single means, proportions, comparison of proportions, and mean differences with 95 % confidence interval [CI] was conducted.

RESULTS

Twenty-three articles (n = 1437) were included in the analysis. The most common surgery was Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (SP), 62.6 % [31.3-88.9] for syndromic and 76.3 % [37.5-98.9] for non-syndromic children. Among all surgical techniques, for syndromic and non-syndromic children, 54.8 % [30.9-77.5] and 73.9 % [61.3-84.6] obtained normal resonance post-operatively, respectively. Syndromic patients obtained normal resonance post-operatively in 83.3 % [57.7-96.6] of Combined Furlow Palatoplasty and Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (CPSP), 72.6 % [54.5-87.5] of Pharyngeal Flap (PF), and 45.1 % [13.2-79.8] of Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (SP) surgeries. Non-syndromic patients obtained normal resonance post-operatively in 79.2 % [66.4-88.8] of PF and 75.2 % [61.8-86.5] of SP surgeries. The revision rate for syndromic and non-syndromic patients was 19.9 % [15.0-25.6] and 11.3 % [5.8-18.3], respectively. The difference was statistically significant, 8.6 % [2.9-15.0, p = 0.003]. Syndromic patients who underwent PF were least likely to undergo revision surgery as compared to SP and CPSP, 7.7 % [2.3-17.9] vs. 23.7 % [15.5-33.1] and 15.3 % [2.8-40.7], respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Syndromic children had higher revision rates and were significantly less likely to obtain normal resonance following primary surgery than non-syndromic patients. Among syndromic children, PF and CPSP have been shown to improve resonance and reduce revision rates more so than SP alone.

Outcomes of primary repair of cleft palate using sommerled intravelar veloplasty associated with velocardiofacial syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Velocardiofacial syndrome, a prevalent microdeletion syndrome occurring in 1 in 2000-4000 live births, is marked by speech and language disorders, notably velopharyngeal dysfunction. This study investigates speech outcomes, nasometric and videofluoroscopic results before and after primary repair of cleft palate using the Sommerlad intravelar veloplasty (SIVV) technique within the Isfahan cleft care team for patients with velocardiofacial syndrome.

METHODS

Employing a quasi-experimental design, 19 participants with velocardiofacial syndrome, who underwent primary cleft palate repair by the Isfahan cleft care team, were included through convenience sampling. Perceptual and instrumental outcomes were assessed pre-and post-operatively. Statistical analysis encompassed paired t-tests and the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The study identified no statistically significant differences between pre-and post-surgical speech outcome parameters and nasalance scores. Nonetheless, a significant distinction emerged in the velopharyngeal closure ratio based on fluoroscopic evaluation (p = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of the SIVV technique in treating velopharyngeal dysfunction in velocardiofacial syndrome patients is inconclusive, demanding further research. Post-surgical speech outcomes are influenced by surgical technique, hypotonia, apraxia of speech, and surgery timing. Notably, an elevated velopharyngeal valve closure ratio, though anatomically indicative, does not exclusively predict surgical success.

Pharyngeal Flap Versus Sphincter Pharyngoplasty for the Treatment of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: Preliminary Findings From a Systematic Review

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare surgical and speech outcomes of the posterior pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty following surgical management of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS). This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses checklist and guidelines. Selected studies were chosen using a 3-step screening process. The 2 primary outcomes of interest were speech improvement and surgical complications. Preliminary findings based on included studies suggest a slightly higher rate of postoperative complications with the posterior pharyngeal flap in patients with 22q11.2DS but a lower percentage of patients needing additional surgery compared with the sphincter pharyngoplasty group. The most reported postoperative complication was obstructive sleep apnea. Results from this study provide some insight into speech and surgical outcomes following pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty in patients with 22q11.2DS. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to inconsistencies in speech methodology and lack of detail regarding surgical technique in the current literature. There is a significant need for standardization of speech assessments and outcomes to help optimize surgical management of velopharyngeal insufficiency in individuals with 22q11.2DS.

Atypical cortical thickness and folding of language regions in Chinese nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate children after speech rehabilitation

Objective

Even after palatoplasty and speech rehabilitation, patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) remain to produce pronunciation errors. We hypothesized that nonsyndromic CLP (NSCLP) after speech rehabilitation had structural abnormalities in language-related brain regions. This study investigates structural patterns in NSCLP children after speech rehabilitation using surface-based morphometry (SBM) analysis.

Methods

Forty-two children with NSCLP and 42 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were scanned for 3D T1-weighted images on a 3T MRI scanner. After reconstructing each brain surface, we computed SBM parameters and assessed between-group differences using two-sample t-tests and permutation tests (5,000 times). Then, we assessed the relationship between the SBM parameters and the Chinese language clear degree scale (CLCDS) using Pearson's correlation analysis.

Result

The speech-rehabilitated children with NSCLP showed lower cortical thickness and higher gyrification index mainly involving left language-related brain regions (permutation tests, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the lower cortical thickness of the left parahippocampal gyrus was positively correlated with CLCDS scores (r = 0.370, p = 0.017) in patients with NSCLP.

Conclusion

The SBM analysis showed that the structural abnormalities of speech-rehabilitated children with NSCLP mainly involved language-related brain regions, especially the dominant cerebral hemisphere. The structural abnormalities of the cortical thickness and folding in the language-related brain regions might be the neural mechanisms of speech errors in NSCLP children after speech rehabilitation. The cortical thickness of the parahippocampal gyrus may be a biomarker to evaluate pronunciation function.

Characteristics and surgical outcomes of cleft palate in kabuki syndrome: a case series of 11 patients

OBJECTIVE

A significant number of patients with KS have cleft palate (CP) or submucous cleft palate (SMCP) and show delayed speech development. However, few reports have discussed the characteristics of CP in KS and the outcomes of postoperative speech development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and surgical outcomes of CP in patients with KS, and to discuss the importance of the diagnosis of CP or SMCP.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study on patients with clinically diagnosed KS who underwent palatoplasty. Clinical and surgical data were collected from patients' medical records, and velopharyngeal function was evaluated using nasopharyngoscopy and speech analysis.

RESULTS

In 11 cases, 5 patients had CP (45.5%) and 6 had SMCP (54.5%). Four patients who were genetically tested had a pathogenic variant of KMT2D. Seven of nine patients (77.8%) who underwent conventional palatoplasty showed velopharyngeal insufficiency and hypernasality. All patients who underwent pharyngeal flap surgery achieved velopharyngeal competency. Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in postoperative results between non-syndromic and KS patients.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SMCP may be more common than previously reported. The results showed that it is difficult to produce optimal results with conventional palatoplasty; therefore, pharyngeal flap surgery should be considered as a treatment to obtain favorable results. Pharyngeal flap surgery in patients with KS should be carefully designed based on speech evaluation and nasopharyngoscopic findings.

Velopharyngeal Incompetence in Children With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: Velar and Pharyngeal Dimensions

ABSTRACT

The surgical management of velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) is challenging. There are numerous approaches and children often undergo more than one operation. Our aim was to develop a method using images from routine lateral videofluoroscopy to study the dimensions of the velopharynx in this cohort.We analyzed 22 pre-operative lateral videofluoroscopy recordings of children with 22q11.2 DS and VPI. Fourteen had a submucous cleft palate (SMCP) and 8 had no obvious palatal abnormality but who were subsequently labelled as having an occult submucous cleft palate (OSMCP). The control data were 10 historic records of children with cleft lip and an intact palate. The authors identified key points on radiographs of the velum at rest and when elevated to measure the total velar length, functional velar length and pharyngeal depth and compared them ratiometrically.The intra-observer reliability was > 0.9 whereas the inter-observer reliability was > 0.74. The velopharyngeal depth/total velar length was significantly greater in 22q11.2 DS than the control group P < 0.001. There was no difference between SMCP and OSMCP patients, P = 0.556. There was no difference in the functional velar length/total velar length between 22q11.2 DS and controls (P = 0.763).In this study, the authors demonstrate a reliable method to gain useful ratiometric measurements of the velopharynx. This may help with treatment planning. Children with 22q11.2 DS and VPI have a larger velopharyngeal depth/total velar length ratio that may explain some of the difficulty in management.

Carotid artery mobilization prior to pharyngeal flap inset for patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

The management of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) poses a significant clinical challenge due to presence of a large velopharyngeal gap and a relatively high rate of internal carotid artery (ICA) medialization. To our knowledge, we are the first group to have successfully managed VPI in a series of seven pediatric patients with 22q11DS with medialized ICAs via a novel surgical technique involving carotid artery mobilization followed by pharyngeal flap insertion. Thus far, we have found this technique to be reliably safe with no significant morbidity and caregivers have reported postoperative improvement in speech, swallowing and nasal regurgitation symptoms. Herein, we provide a detailed description of our novel surgical approach, including an instructional video, for correction of VPI in patients with medialized ICAs, who have previously had limited management options.

Characteristics of velopharyngeal dysfunction in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a retrospective case-control study

Objective

To identify and describe the dynamic features of velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome relative to patients with non-syndromic cleft palates.

Study design

Retrospective case-control study.

Setting

Pediatric tertiary care center.

Subjects and methods

A total of 30 children (aged 9–16 years) with VPD were included in this study. Fifteen children with a definitive diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome requiring surgical VPD repair were included in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome group. Fifteen age- and sex-matched children with non-syndromic cleft palate requiring surgical VPD repair were included in the non-syndromic cleft palate group for comparison. Velar displacement, lateral pharyngeal wall displacement, and lateral pharyngeal wall motion pattern data were extracted from preoperative Multiview Videofluoroscopy imaging studies of all children and compared across groups.

Results

Lateral pharyngeal wall displacement was found to be reduced in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome group (U = 29.50, p = .001, r = .63). However, measures of velar displacement were not observed to differ between groups. Similarly, lateral pharyngeal wall motion pattern distributions were not found to differ across these two groups.

Conclusions

Velopharyngeal dysfunction in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome showed differences in dynamic velopharyngeal function when compared to non-syndromic cleft palate patients. The current findings provide initial insights into the unique aspects of velopharyngeal dysfunction for patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. These findings may guide further efforts directed toward understanding the dynamic velopharyngeal characteristics of this population and potentially optimize surgical management and functional outcomes.

Occult subtotal cleft of the secondary palate with VPI associated to 8q22.2 deletion

BACKGROUND

Submucous cleft palate is a cleft of the secondary palate with low phenotypic gene expression. It can occur as an isolated malformation or associated with a syndrome that includes certain facial features and other vocal tract malformations. Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is rare in cases of non - syndromic occult clefts of the secondary palate (OSCSP). In contrast, syndromic OCSP has a high prevalence of VPI. VPI requires surgical treatment in the vast majority of cases.

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of OSCSP with VPI after partial tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T & A) associated with facial features and other vocal tract malformations. A chromosomal abnormality (8q22.2 deletion) was demonstrated by cytogenetic testing.

CASE PRESENTATION

Eight year old female with VPI following partial T & A. OSCSP was diagnosed. Complete T & A was performed in preparation for a pharyngeal flap. Pharyngeal flap surgery was customized according to findings of videonasopharyngoscopy (VNP) and multiplanar videofluoroscopy (MPVF). VPI was corrected without intraoperative or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

The presence of multiple vocal tract malformations should be a red flag for suspecting a syndromic OSCSP. Surgical treatment of VPI in cases of OSCSP should be performed after complete T & A, Imaging procedures for assessing neck blood vessels and it should be customized according to imaging (VNP and MPVF) findings.

Velopharyngeal Structural and Muscle Variations in Children With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: An Unsedated MRI Study

Objective:

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common genetic cause of velopharyngeal dysfunction; however, limited information exists regarding variations in velopharyngeal anatomy in this clinically challenging population. The purpose of this study was to examine velopharyngeal characteristics among young children with 22q11.2DS in comparison to a normative cohort using an innovative, nonsedated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning protocol.

Methods:

Fifteen children with 22q11.2DS and 15 age- and gender-matched controls with normal velopharyngeal anatomy (ages 4-12) successfully completed the MRI protocol. Eighteen velopharyngeal and 2 related craniofacial measures were examined. Analysis of covariance was used to compare differences between the experimental and the control groups.

Results:

The 22q11.2DS group demonstrated a significantly thinner velum ( P < .0005) and a larger pharyngeal depth ( P = .007) compared to the matched control group. Findings in the current study also demonstrated that the levator veli palatini muscle is significantly shorter ( P = .037) and thinner ( P = .025) in the 22q11.2DS cohort, with a significantly shorter origin-to-origin distance ( P < .0005) and a greater angle of origin ( P = .001) compared to healthy peers.

Conclusion:

Children with 22q11.2DS demonstrated multiple variations that may contribute to velopharyngeal dysfunction by altering the anatomic characteristics of the velopharyngeal port, the levator muscle, and associated structures. This investigation represents the first and largest attempt to characterize velopharyngeal anatomy in children with 22q11.2DS using a nonsedated MRI protocol.

22q11.2 Deletion: Surgical and Speech Outcomes of Patients With Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Treated With a Superiorly Based Pharyngeal Flap as the Primary Surgery

The most frequent palate diagnoses in patients with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are a classic submucous cleft, occult, and velopharyngeal insufficiency without cleft, which generates alterations in speech that require surgery. Surgical protocols are controversial owing to syndrome characteristics that make their handling more complex. Pharyngeal flap pharyngoplasty is effective for this type of patient. The objective of this study is to examine the surgical management of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with chromosome 22 deletion, using a pharyngeal flap as the primary surgery. The clinical records of patients with chromosome 22 deletion and velopharyngeal insufficiency between 2015 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Eight patients underwent pharyngeal flap pharyngoplasty as a primary surgery, including 1 with velopharyngeal insufficiency without a cleft, 1 with a classic submucous cleft, and 6 with occult submucous cleft. The pre- and postoperative protocol performed by speech therapists and surgeons included clinical evaluation of the oral cavity; perceptual, video recording, and nasometry speech evaluation; and videonasopharyngoscopy. All perceptual parameters and nasometry results significantly changed. Of the cases, 88% achieved a flap with the expected width and height and complete closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter. One patient required flap revision. Four of the 8 patients achieved normal resonance, and 2 of 8 showed mild hypernasality. Using the pharyngeal flap pharyngoplasty as a primary technique to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with chromosome 22 deletion provides satisfactory outcomes and decreases the number of surgeries. Preoperative planning must be conducted carefully and needs to be individualized to be successful.

Speech Therapy in Velocardiofacial Syndrome After Palatopharyngeal Pharyngoplasty

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFs) is a rare congenital disease with an incidence of 1:4000 to 1:6000. Previous studies have found that the abnormality is associated with 22qDS. As reported at the international VCFs conference held in 2006, >180 phenotypes have been identified with this syndrome. Accordingly, there is a wide range of clinical manifestations including congenital defects of the heart and palate, immune deficiencies, psychiatric illness, and speech, learning, and cognitive disabilities Among all the symptoms above, however, pharyngopalatine dysplasia has been observed in nearly every patient. Patients with VCFs often have velopharyngeal insufficiency, which may cause serious disorders in functional speech, with poor intelligibility, a glottal stop with hypernasality and a pharyngeal fricative, and dropping and weakening of consonants. Most also show defects in language learning. Therefore, specialized speech therapy is essential for patients with VCFs, mainly focused on correction of abnormal pronunciation. Long-term clinical experience has shown that speech therapy is based on 2 components: velopharyngeal function and behavior therapy. Our study focused mainly on establishing a corrective behavior guidance model of pronunciation for patients with VCFs.

De-mucosalized pharyngeal flap: a modified technique for selected cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap is performed via rotation of tissues of the posterior pharyngeal wall anteriorly and anchoring it to the soft palate. Unfortunately, bad healing of the donor site defect might be a considerable cause of morbidity of the surgery. With some modifications of flap elevation we could achieve better surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to present the new modification of the conventional maneuver and its surgical/functional outcomes.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study design is a case series. 17 patients underwent the de-mucosalized superiorly based pharyngeal flap for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency. A wide laterally based (mucosa-only) flap was elevated off the submucosa of the posterior pharyngeal wall and then a superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap (bared of its covering mucosa) was elevated and sutured to the palate. The mucosal flap was draped over the bed and sutured.

RESULTS

No significant complications as airway problems, infection and bleeding were reported. Also, the postoperative pain was tolerable and there were no reports of neck rigidity with early ambulation; VAS showed significant improvement. No patients showed flap dehiscence or palatal fistula. Speech assessment showed improvement.

CONCLUSION

The modified de-mucosalized, superiorly based pharyngeal flap technique ensured self-mucosal draping of the bed, thus it would enhance primary healing and decrease postoperative pain with the resultant early ambulation. We believe that the new modified technique could correct VPI, in addition to the improvement of patients' comfort and decrease the morbidity of the procedure.

Velopharyngeal videofluoroscopy: Providing useful clinical information in the era of reduced dose radiation and safety

BACKGROUND

The state of the art for correcting velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a surgical procedure which is customized according to findings on imaging procedures: multiplanar videofluoroscopy (MPVF) and flexible videonasopharyngoscopy (FVNP). Recently, the use of MPVF has been challenged because of the potential risk of using ionizing radiation, especially in children.

OBJECTIVE

To study whether using a protocol for performing MPVF can effectively decrease radiation dose in patients with VPI while providing useful information for planning surgical correction of VPI in combination with FVNP. The methodology used for performing the imaging procedures is described as well as the effectiveness of the surgical procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighty - nine patients (Age range = 3-17 years; median = 5.5 years) with VPI resulting from multiple etiologies were studied. All patients underwent MPVF and FVNP for planning surgical correction of VPI. Radiation dosage data in each case was recorded. Forty of the 89 patients also completed a postoperative evaluation. Eleven out of the remaining 49 patients have not completed a postoperative evaluation and 38 patients are still pending surgical correction.

RESULTS

Radiation dosage ranged from 1.00 to 8.75 miliSieverts (mSv); Mean = 2.88 mSv; SD = 1.575 mSv. Preoperative nasometry demonstrated mean nasalance ranging from 41%-95%; Mean = 72.30; SD = 4.54. Postoperatively mean nasalance was within normal limits in 36 (90%) out of 40 cases, ranging from 21% to 35%; Mean = 28.10; SD = 5.40. Nasal emission was eliminated postoperatively in all cases.

CONCLUSION

MPVF provides useful information for planning the surgical procedure aimed at correcting VPI. The combination of MPVF and FVNP is a reliable procedure for assessing velopharyngeal closure and to surgically correcting VPI with a highly successful outcome.

22q11.2 deletion detected by endoscopic observation of pharyngeal pulsations in a child with submucous cleft palate and persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency

22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common syndrome associated with cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Over 180 clinical features have been described. Most common features include: cardiac malformations, cleft palate, velopharyngeal insufficiency, characteristic facial features, hypotonia, behavioral disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders among several other fenotipical features. A case of 22q11.2DS confirmed by cytogenomic analysis is presented with review of the literature. Main clinical features were a submucous cleft palate (SMCP) with persistent VPI after palatoplasty, an ectopic left internal carotid artery and a prominent aortic root. VPI was corrected with a pharyngeal flap, tailored according to findings of videonasopharyngoscopy, videofluoroscopy and neck CT scan with contrast.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency, submucous cleft palate and a phonological disorder as the associated clinical features which led to the diagnosis of Jacobsen syndrome. Case report and review of the literature

Jacobsen syndrome is an uncommon but well-known contiguous gene syndrome caused by partial deletion involving the long arm of chromosome 11. Most common features include: psychomotor impairment, facial dysmorphism, and thrombocytopenia. Cleft palate has been rarely reported. A case of Jacobsen syndrome confirmed by cytogenomic analysis is presented with review of the literature. Main clinical features were phonological disorder, submucous cleft palate (SMCP) and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). VPI was corrected surgically according to findings of videonasopharyngoscopy and videofluoroscopy. It is concluded that clinicians should consider that VPI associated with SMCP may be the main manifestations of a chromosomal syndrome.

Results and complications of 1104 surgeries for velopharyngeal insufficiency

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) means that the velopharyngeal closure is inadequate or disturbed. VPI may be organic or functional, congenital or acquired and is caused by structural alterations or paresis. The symptoms are primarily to be found in speech (hypernasality), more rarely in swallowing and hearing. The management types are as follows: speech therapy, surgery, speech bulb, and others. Surgery is indicated if the symptoms of VPI cannot be improved by speech therapy. Among the operative methods, velopharyngoplasty constitutes the basis of the surgery. The pharyngeal flap was incorporated and survived in 98.1% of the cases, hyperrhinophony disappeared or became minimal in 90% after surgery in our material (1104 cases). The speech results seemed to be the same with superiorly or inferiorly based pharyngeal flap. The Furlow technique, push-back procedure, the sphincteroplasty, and the augmentation were indicated by us if the VP gap was less than 7 mm; these methods may also be used as secondary operation. We observed among 1104 various surgeries severe hemorrhage in 5 cases, aspiration in 2 cases, significant nasal obstruction in 68 patients, OSAS in 5 cases; tracheotomy was necessary in 2 cases. Although the complication rate is rare, it must always be considered that this is not a life-saving but a speech-correcting operation. A tailor-made superiorly based pharyngeal flap is suggested today, possibly in the age of 5 years.

In search of the optimal surgical treatment for velopharyngeal dysfunction in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patients with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS) and velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) tend to have residual VPD following surgery. This systematic review seeks to determine whether a particular surgical procedure results in superior speech outcome or less morbidity.

METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

A combined computerized and hand-search yielded 70 studies, of which 27 were deemed relevant for this review, reporting on a total of 525 patients with 22qDS and VPD undergoing surgery for VPD. All studies were levels 2c or 4 evidence. The methodological quality of these studies was assessed using criteria based on the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. Heterogeneous groups of patients were reported on in the studies. The surgical procedure was often tailored to findings on preoperative imaging. Overall, 50% of patients attained normal resonance, 48% attained normal nasal emissions scores, and 83% had understandable speech postoperatively. However, 5% became hyponasal, 1% had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and 17% required further surgery. There were no significant differences in speech outcome between patients who underwent a fat injection, Furlow or intravelar veloplasty, pharyngeal flap pharyngoplasty, Honig pharyngoplasty, or sphincter pharyngoplasty or Hynes procedures. There was a trend that a lower percentage of patients attained normal resonance after a fat injection or palatoplasty than after the more obstructive pharyngoplasties (11-18% versus 44-62%, p = 0.08). Only patients who underwent pharyngeal flaps or sphincter pharyngoplasties incurred OSA, yet this was not statistically significantly more often than after other procedures (p = 0.25). More patients who underwent a palatoplasty needed further surgery than those who underwent a pharyngoplasty (50% versus 7-13%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE

In the heterogeneous group of patients with 22qDS and VPD, a grade C recommendation can be made to minimize the morbidity of further surgery by choosing to perform a pharyngoplasty directly instead of only a palatoplasty.

Velopharyngeal valving during speech, in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome and patients with non-syndromic palatal clefts after surgical and speech pathology management

BACKGROUND

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is the most common genetic syndrome associated with cleft palate. There are reports describing several anomalies associated with the palatal cleft in patients with VCFS, which can affect the characteristics of the velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in these cases.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to assess velopharyngeal sphincter function during speech, using videonasopharyngoscopy (VNP) and videofluoroscopy (VF), in patients with VCFS, as compared with patients with non-syndromic palatal clefts (NSCP).

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Twenty patients with VCFS corroborated by a FISH test were studied. All patients showed a palatal cleft. All patients had received previous management including speech therapy and palatal repair. These patients underwent a thorough clinical speech evaluation, including VNP and VF. Twenty patients with NSCP matched by sex, type of cleft and within the age range of the patients with VCFS were studied as controls.

RESULTS

From the patients with VCFS, seventeen patients showed a submucous cleft palate. Three patients showed sub-total cleft of the secondary palate. Fourteen patients (70%) showed a coronal velopharyngeal closure pattern. Six patients (30%) showed a circular pattern. In contrast, 10 patients (50%) from the NSCP group showed a circular pattern, two of them showed a Passavant's ridge. Seven patients (35%) showed a coronal pattern and 3 patients (15%) showed a saggital pattern. Mean velum (V) and lateral pharyngeal wall (LPW) motion were significantly decreased in patients with VCFS (V=46% vs 71%; LPW=14% vs 30%; P<0.001). Size of the defect during speech was significantly increased in patients with VCFS (34.57% vs 67.37%; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Velopharyngeal valving during speech is significantly different in patients with VCFS as compared with patients with NSCP. Several anomalies associated with the palatal cleft in patients with VCFS can explain these differences. Thus, the surgical approach for repairing a palatal cleft should consider these differences. Moreover, surgical planning should be performed according to the specific findings of the velopharyngeal sphincter in order to improve speech outcome.

Speech outcomes and velopharyngeal function after surgical treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in individuals with signs of velocardiofacial syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to analyze if individuals with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) present the same characteristics of speech and velopharyngeal function (VPF) compared with patients with nonsyndromic submucous cleft palate, as well as to compare the effectiveness of palate surgery on the speech function and VPF between groups.

METHODS

This was a prospective study performed at the Speech Therapy Sector and Physiology Laboratory, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies/University of São Paulo.The procedure performed was primary palatoplasty associated or not to superiorly based pharyngeal flap surgery.There were 50 patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency: 25 with signals of VCFS (VCFS group) and 25 without syndrome with submucous cleft palate (SMCP group).The hypernasality was scored by 3 examiners; nasalance was evaluated by nasometry, and VPF was assessed by the size of the velopharyngeal gap on the nasoendoscopy. The evaluations were conducted before and, in average, 18 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Before surgery, the VCFS and SMCP groups presented similar speech function and VPF characteristics in all parameters, with no statistically significant differences. After surgery, there was reduction in the hypernasality, nasalance, and VPF in, respectively, 20%, 31%, and 36% of patients in the VCFS group and in 24%, 30%, and 30% in the SMCP group. Elimination/normalization of variables was obtained in 28%, 19%, and 8% of patients in the VCFS group and 20%, 40%, and 25% in the SMCP group, respectively, for hypernasality, nasalance, and VPF. There was no statistically significant difference between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with VCFS presented similar speech function and VPF characteristics as patients with nonsyndromic SMCP. The surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency correction was equally effective for the improvement and resolution of speech symptoms and VPF in patients with VCFS compared with the SMCP group.

Speech outcomes following pharyngeal flap in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome

BACKGROUND

Velocardiofacial syndrome is the most common defined disorder associated with palatal insufficiency. The authors' purpose is to evaluate one surgeon's experience with correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency in velocardiofacial syndrome using a tailored pharyngeal flap.

METHODS

The authors reviewed the records of all children with velocardiofacial syndrome and velopharyngeal insufficiency who were managed with a pharyngeal flap between 1983 and 2009. Data collected included age at operation, preoperative videofluoroscopic findings, speech outcomes, complications, and need for a secondary operation.

RESULTS

The authors identified 33 patients with velocardiofacial syndrome and velopharyngeal insufficiency who had postoperative speech evaluations. Velopharyngeal insufficiency was diagnosed at a median age of 5 years. Palatal findings were: Veau type I (n = 4), overt submucous (n = 6), or occult submucous (n = 23). Median preoperative lateral pharyngeal wall movement was 22 percent (range, 0 to 90 percent). Successful correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency was achieved in 29 of 33 patients (88 percent). One patient had a medially displaced right internal carotid artery, and evidenced intraoperative bleeding and required a blood transfusion. One patient developed obstructive sleep apnea.

CONCLUSION

A tailored pharyngeal flap is highly effective for correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency in velocardiofacial syndrome with few complications.